| In county of 5,336 lawyers, one made headlines
The ex-American Idol hopeful, pregnant and jailed for violating her probation, got a break when a Tampa judge sent her to drug rehab instead of prison. Fitzgibbons said the treatment will save her life. The suspended University of South Florida student, fighting federal explosives charges, tried to fire Fitzgibbons. He said the attorney accepted $750,000 just to push for a guilty plea. "Pure fantasy," Fitzgibbons said. One judge scolded Sierra for talking to reporters and another went easy on teacher-turned-sex offender Lafave, accused of getting too friendly with a teenage co-worker. Fitzgibbons said, "It was a busy week." John Fitzgibbons juggled court hearings last week for famous clients. A look at his calendar: THURSDAY 10 Jessica Sierra (again) and Debra Lafave WEDNESDAY 9 Ahmed Mohamed MONDAY 7 Jessica Sierra .
Saving the soldiers we neglect
Where we come in is that we can help to raise the funds so our soldiers get really excellent facilities." The charity is the brainchild of Parry, 51, a cartoonist and former member of the Royal Green Jackets, and Sarah-Jane Shirreff, wife of General Sir Richard Shirreff, former commander of British forces in Basra. Through its website it will also allow the public to "help a hero" in any way they see fit - perhaps by offering tickets to football matches or funding a meal out. Already this aspect of the appeal has been kickstarted by retailers - Dixons has donated 1,000 MP3 players and PC World has provided a number of combined television-computers. The Clarksons became involved in the cause of Britain’s war wounded last year when they met Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson at Selly Oak hospital - where a military-managed ward, albeit with beds for only 14 patients, gives primary care to injured service personnel returning from combat zones.
By Kate Leckie News-Post Staff
Charles James Williams is out of work. Nonetheless, he's a grateful man this holiday season. Newly free after spending about six months in jail for burglarizing churches to support a crack cocaine habit, Williams, 55, has been welcomed into the Frederick County Drug Treatment Court. To be accepted into the program, Williams had to admit guilt for his crimes -- and the eight local churches he burglarized had to go along with the plea agreement reached by the defense and the prosecution. "I attribute it to God," Williams said. "It's nothing short of a miracle." The incentive to abide by the rules of drug court is great -- failure to do so could result in a 30-year prison sentence on burglary charges. "At 55, that would be a life sentence," Williams said. The father of two sons ages 13 and 25, wants to warn young people not to get sucked into addiction through peer pressure.
Oregon Recreation Report
See regional viewing sections for information.New fishing regulation changes take effect Jan. 1Several new fishing regulations take effect Jan. 1, 2008.* Sandy River anglers have an extra seven miles to fish, all the way upstream to the mouth of the Salmon River in Brightwood.* Umpqua River anglers will go to catch-and-release only for wild steelhead in the mainstem and North Fork; both portions of the Umpqua are open all year for adipose fin-clipped steelhead.WILLAMETTE ZONESTOCKING SCHEDULE:The South Willamette Watershed District stocked Junction City Pond with larger brood stock rainbow trout and Walter Wirth and Walling Pond with catchable size rainbow trout the week of Dec. 10. The next scheduled stocking for the South Willamette Watershed will be the week of Jan. 7.The North Willamette Watershed stocked Huddleston Pond and Sheridan Pond the week of Dec.
Ride the yoga wave with Surfer Mike
Surfer Mike (aka Michael Kintz) invites you to discover inner peace of mind and body through yoga, meditation and other mindful movement. All levels and ages are welcome. Bring your own mat and strap. Classes are from 5:30-7 p.m. Wednesdays starting Jan. 8. The class costs $95 for 8 weeks. Located at 800 Middle Ave., Menlo Park. Call 650-323-5532 or visit http://www.yogawithmike.com. SF Yoga Journal Conference The fourth annual San Francisco conference will be held Jan. 17-21. The event focuses on inspiration, rejuvenation and community. Participants will be able to customize a program of classes, workshops and special events. From Jan. 17-18, the conference offers a 2-Day Business of Yoga Workshop. This workshop will feature leaders in the yoga industry who will teach participants how to run a yoga business more productively.
Holiday stress can lead to depression
While most people are singing carols and wrapping gifts during the holidays, those who struggle with mental illness often feel increased pain and isolation. Terese Gessler knows, because she's been there. "The bigness of it, how it comes across as being a very extreme holiday," said Gessler, 38, who was diagnosed with major depression and anxiety at age 14. "The stresses that go with it shopping, parties, family gatherings." Although statistics show that suicides in Sheboygan County aren't higher than at other times of the year, mental health professionals and law enforcement officers in Sheboygan see the result of the increased stress and pressure Christmas can bring. "This can be a very lonely, depressing time for people," said Beverly Randall of Mental Health America in Sheboygan County.
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